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Chapter 60—What Is the Highest Position?
This chapter is based on
Matthew 20:20-28
;
Mark 10:32-45
;
Luke
18:31-34
.
Passover was drawing near, and again Jesus turned toward
Jerusalem. In His heart was the peace of perfect oneness with the
Father’s will, and with eager steps He pressed on toward the place
of sacrifice. But a sense of mystery, of doubt and fear, fell upon the
disciples. The Saviour “went before them: and they were amazed;
and as they followed, they were afraid.”
Again Christ opened to the Twelve His betrayal and sufferings:
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by
the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For
He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and
spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge Him, and
put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again. And they
understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them,
neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
Had they not just before proclaimed everywhere, “The kingdom
of heaven is at hand”? Had not Christ Himself given to the Twelve
the special promise of positions of high honor in His kingdom? And
had not the prophets foretold the glory of the Messiah’s reign? In the
light of these thoughts, His words in regard to betrayal, persecution,
and death seemed vague and shadowy. Whatever difficulties might
intervene, they believed that the kingdom was soon to be established.
John and his brother James had been among the first group who
had forsaken home and friends to be with Him. Their hearts seemed
linked with His, and in the ardor of their love they longed to be
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nearest to Him in His kingdom. At every opportunity, John took his
place next to the Saviour, and James longed to be honored with as
close connection with Him.
Their mother had ministered to Christ freely of her substance.
With a mother’s love and ambition for her sons, she coveted for them
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